First, five Democrats are on the primary ballot and one of the two Republicans in the race is a former congressional representative. Second, few people really know what the lands commissioner does and what qualifies someone to hold this job. And third, some people may be wondering: Why are so many Washington agency leaders elected and not appointed?
This story will answer the first two concerns. The third could be the subject of a book.
After Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced last spring that she would not seek a third term and instead run for governor (and later, U.S. Congress), many Democrats jumped at the opportunity for this
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